first(); if ($entitlement && $entitlement->max_employees > 0) { // Count current active employees in this tenant database $currentCount = User::whereNotIn('type', ['superadmin', 'company'])->count(); if ($currentCount >= $entitlement->max_employees) { if ($request->wantsJson()) { return response()->json([ 'success' => false, 'message' => "Employee limit reached ({$entitlement->max_employees} staff max allowed under your plan). Cannot add more employees.", ], 403); } return redirect()->back()->withErrors([ 'employee_limit' => "Employee limit reached ({$entitlement->max_employees} staff max allowed under your plan). Cannot add more employees.", ]); } } } return $next($request); } }