DLQ unite or shake out?

[Apiarist]

you wont get laying workers if there is a queen present.

Strictly speaking you can get at least one laying worker in a hive (more common when there's a large population).
BUT her eggs usually do not survive long, from memory near 50% are removed within two hours and 95% within 24hrs.
I've seen a Worker mimic the actions of a queen, examining the rims of cells with her forelegs and even lowering herself into the cell as if she was trying to lay! I noted that her wings were tattered and (I watched her for almost 20 minutes) every now and then the odd worker showed her some aggression.

However you are effectively right, you will not get Laying Worker(s) taking over a hive if there is a mated Queen present (I do not know about an unmated or poorly mated queen, as their pheromones are likely different)

 

[Sutty]

My understanding is that it's brood pheromone rather than queen pheromones which suppresses workers' ovary development.
If so a queen present but no brood would do it.