Thanks for an informative discussion. Seems the answer to the original question of laying workers is: quite possible; and therefore will happen, at least some of the time - distance of shake out being a variable. 

The other responses re correcting a LW situation were informative/illuminating; the "Old World" solution being the most interesting. I corrected a LW hive this summer: Swarm queen missing in June - mating flight? Laying workers got started, but I caught it at the outset. I put a double screen board over another hive, placed the laying workers and gave them 2 frames of brood. Two weeks later, no laying workers. I then did a newspaper combine with the bottom hive. Hive is a going concern.

I owe the technique to Rusty Berlew, who had suggested it in her blog http://honeybeesuite.com. She's a master beekeeper (Olympia area); earned the title at U of MT. 

Best, msbeek.

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