Any Scottish Government minister found guilty of misconduct or other bad behaviour will be named and shamed in the future after a row over secrecy.
The outcome of complaints will also be published alongside a version of the decision report, but the new system will not apply retrospectively.
It comes after Fergus Ewing, who was Nicola Sturgeon ’s Rural Economy and Tourism Cabinet Secretary, was the subject of a bullying complaint by civil servants when he was in Government.
The probe was completed last year, but the First Minister has refused to comment on the outcome.
She cited “GDPR privacy issues” and said she could risk breaching the law by answering questions - a stance that was criticised.
Sturgeon said at the time: “It is absolutely the case that we are limited in terms of what we can publish by legal requirements, data protection and confidentiality issues.
“That is not a situation I am comfortable with."
The row led to a review of the handling of complaints against serving and former Ministers.
In a written answer John Swinney, deputy first minister, said:
“The procedure for handling complaints by civil servants about a current or former minister’s behaviour will be updated to improve transparency.
“In future, where the outcome is upheld or partially upheld, Ministers will be named and the outcome of the complaint published, together with an appropriately redacted version of the decision report.
“The privacy and confidentiality of complainants and witnesses remain fundamental to the process. Any information that could lead to their identity being disclosed will be redacted.
“The procedure applies to all Scottish Government staff and civil servants working in the Scottish Government’s executive agencies. Information on the number of formal complaints will be proactively published on the Scottish Government website every six months.
“In cases where a complaint is not upheld, the Minister's name and the outcome will be published for a period of six months.
“Changes to the Ministerial complaints procedure will come into effect by the end of the year.”
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