[verteu]

I've found that RTO is mainly useful for new employees. They have lots of novice questions, false assumptions, and sub-optimal workflows that are most easily corrected in person (where the barrier to talking or noticing issues is lower).

For ICs with good experience/independence, I haven't noticed any benefit.

[t-writescode]

All of that can be solved by a healthy mentorship environment; and you can create a healthy mentorship environment remotely.

Arguably, for example, pair programming is far easier, remotely, with screen sharing.